Pds

First I want to say, I love this "Board"---you all have given me such valuable information!!!! I can't tell you how much my quilting has improved from some of your comments and "threads".

Now I don't have a question really, but more of a comment. I am like a lot of you, in that I buy quilting books from well known quilters and I am getting a bid "miffed". Why are the patterns in these books for small quilts? I am looking for a scrap quilt pattern and since I have all these books, why not put them to use. I found one I really liked in one of my many books, by a well known artist---it is 30 x 30 with NO directions in how to enlarge it!!!!! Now really, other than for a baby or wall, why would you make a 30 x 30 quilt? Now I have been quilting for a long time and I know you can just make more blocks, or even add a border or two, but if I paid $30 retail for this book, why do I have to figure out how to do that? I understand that if you are traveling and lecturing it is so much easier to take a smaller quilt, but not everyone makes lap quilts, some of us make large bed quilts. I just purchased another book by an author, who also produces patterns. All of her patterns have multiple sizes, but her book-----only lap sizes and no information on how to enlarge them, or on the amounts of additional fabric you would need. Why is that?

I just have issues with that and I think it is inconsiderate to those of us who quilt for use. Even when I make a lap in the size in the book, it doesn't really cover well, unless you happen to be one of my grandbabies, or you use it to put over your knees as you sit in a chair. For me then, it is a waste of my time and money for the fabric because the quilt will just sit folded up and not be used.

Anyway, this is how I feel. I know some people only make small or wall quilts, and I think that is okay---I myself, am more likely to make large bed size quilts and it would be nice if at the very least, a conversion chart was included. If any of you are writing a book, please consider this.

Thanks for letting me step on my "soap box" for a minute. Have a wonderful day!

joyce j

I agree with every thing you just said. Give us some idea as ,how to enlarge . Some of us do not know how to figure it out,

quiltstringz

I have noticed in patterns (not books) that they are now including several sizes. Maybe this will start happening in books

Toni C

I'm right with you. When I look at a book I look at the size of the quilts in it.Have you ever notices those 'make a quilt in a weekend' books are mostly wall warmers? My better half is always saying why would you want to warm a wall? LOL To be honest even when I make a twin it usually is more of a double or XL twin.Most of my quilts are king or queen. I have made some baby quilts but they are not wall hanging size either LOL

Raggiemom

I agree with you wholeheartedly. I just bought a pattern book this week and am thinking about how to enlarge a couple of the patterns in it. I don't really want to just add borders but I hate calculating how to increase the blocks when there's a specific pattern laid out in the center.

indycat32

I wish quilt mags would give instructions/fabric requirements for multiple sizes (they could post the info on their website). . I prefer to make throw size (around 60 x 70) quilts because I can't quilt larger sizes on my machine. There will be a pattern I really like, but so often the instructions are for queen size, and I don't trust myself to "downsize" the fabric needed. One reason why I like Eleanor Burns' books is that she gives fabric requirements for multiple sizes.

Kitsie

Count me in on this. Fortunately when I've had to enlarge (4 so far) I've been able to add rows or columns and calculate the % of the added blocks - like 30% more and figure that way.

Kathy Osterby

I have the opposite problem-just how to downsize the pattern blocks! I only do the small quilts and when I find a pattern it's always for the big sizes. Me and "Math" don't see eye to eye on how to make a 3" block from a 8" block. Would love to find books just for smaller sizes. I have to have all the sizes of pieces given for me- it's been too long since school to relearn all this math lol.

Geri B

Oh, I am so glad to read this rant!!! I thought I was the only one who felt this way. BTW, I love the term wall warmer!!!!!

When I am doing a quilt I want it to grace a bed.......like it was originally designed to do!!!!! I do admit I have made three wallwarmers.....and several tablerunners, but my real "love" is bed quilts........and it is frustrating to try to figure out how many more blocks, spaces, sashes to add to a pattern to make it bed size...and then to try to figure out how much fabric...and today that is important what with the cost of the fabric.........I am thinking I will email the various mags I do occasionally buy and comment on the need to show specs for various sizes......like you say, who wants to go thru the trouble for something 30" x 30" - unless, of course, one is a fabric artist...I am not, I am an old fashioned quilter.......thanks for letting me rant a bit too.......

Sdwill

I'm right there with you. I make quilts to be used on the bed or as a throw to cover up with while laying on the couch.